Returned to town with Mr. Brooks in a shower of rain, the wind was very chilly and I was in a very light dress, so that I was extremely apprehensive, I had caught cold. Morning at my new Office. After having removed all the remainder of my things from my other Office. 383I sat down and read Starkie with a great feeling of comfort. I take more pleasure even than I expected in the change. Afternoon Clarendon. Account of the death of the King, together with Hume’s Apology for his Character. Still no letters. The day was cloudy with rain, so that in the evening, I remained at home, conversing with Mr. Fuller who was a visiter and a certain Mr. Williams.1

Morning at the Office, engaged in writing and also reading a little of Starkie on the law of Evidence. The weather cold and unpleasant. In the afternoon, reading Clarendon in which I am not so much interested in this portion, but on the whole it is a noble history. There is a high strain of eloquence, and of just feeling moving through it that makes one regret that he was not able to direct more fully the distracted councils of the king. In the evening I remained at home through idleness.

Morning cloudy but not unpleasant. I rode to Medford and found the family much as usual excepting that it was large. Chardon, Mrs. Everett, Miss Phillips, John Gorham,1 and in the afternoon, Sidney and his wife, who have just arrived from New York. The afternoon turned off cold. I am never so fond of Medford when so many of the family are there, as I am thereby compelled to see less of Abby. But I had a very pleasant evening and on the whole felt well satisfied.